Remarks at The Ukraine Defense Industrial Base Summit

Introduction

Good morning, everyone, and thank you all for being here. Thank you especially to the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, for hosting this important event today. I appreciate that members of Ukrainian industry and government traveled a long way to be here in D.C. I’m glad I can be here with Deputy Under Secretary Farrell and my interagency colleagues from the Department of Commerce; and, or course, it’s great to see those of you from the U.S. defense industry, whose partnership is critical to building a stronger and safer Ukraine for years to come.

While we come from many different backgrounds, we all share the same vision – of a free, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine – and it will take all of us working together to make it happen.

Day 1 Enthusiasm and Support for Ukraine

For those of you who were able to join us yesterday, it was an energetic gathering of U.S. government officials, industry folks, and our distinguished Ukrainian delegation. The enthusiasm on display this week is a reminder of how important our sustained commitment to the Ukrainian people is. Ukraine deserves a just and lasting peace that protects its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The United States reaffirms our enduring commitment to Ukraine and its people – working together with a global coalition of more than 50 allies and partners. We will continue to provide Ukraine the support it needs to defend its people, sovereignty, and independence from Russia’s aggression.

As you may have seen in yesterday’s Fact Sheet from the White House, the commitments from the U.S. government are meant to sustain the progress we make this week. In particular, industry and the Ukrainian government should know that we are committed to continuing and solidifying our cooperation moving forward.

Notable State and PM Efforts

Despite all the demand of global conflicts and crises, Ukraine remains a top priority for the Administration, the State Department, and the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, where I serve as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. Our team is working day and night to get security assistance and defense articles to Ukraine.

Over the past year and a half, the United States has provided over $44 billion in security assistance to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves, modernize their military, and develop their long-term capabilities. We are rapidly processing Direct Commercial Sales and Third-Party Transfers of U.S.-origin munitions and defense equipment to facilitate arms transfers and donations to Ukraine.

We have also provided $2.6 billion in Foreign Military Financing funds to regional allies and partners. This funding is a direct investment in the future of European security, and it has been instrumental in helping allies and partners donate critical capabilities to Ukraine, modernize their militaries, and invest in interoperability.

PM is also funding the advisor position in Ukraine’s Ministry of Strategic Industries, as you heard from Secretary Pritzker yesterday. And PM’s subject matter experts in Washington will serve on the “deal team” Secretary Pritzker announced – to help businesses navigate regulatory processes as they invest in Ukraine.

While we are committed to helping Ukraine defend itself today, we also have a shared interest in making sure Ukraine has the means to defend itself in the future. And while the U.S. government is fully committed to Ukraine, we cannot do it alone, which is why we need industry at this critical juncture.

Why does industry-to-industry matter?

Industry is the backbone of our partnership, and engagements like this one are essential for making sure Ukraine can defend itself in the long run. Industry-to-industry cooperation introduces the power of economies of scale, supercharges innovation, and builds long-term expertise. But a lot of work still needs to be done.

This cooperation brings our countries closer together through co-production and closer military ties that will sustain Ukraine’s defense industrial base. We have momentum, but there’s more we need to do to strengthen Ukraine’s defense industry.

As you heard yesterday, there are opportunities in Ukraine for U.S. businesses, leveraging both Ukraine’s historical strengths – in the aerospace industry, for example – and its skilled work force. Those business opportunities can be good for U.S. companies, good for the United States – especially where Ukrainian production can augment and bolster the U.S. defense industrial base – and good for the people of Ukraine, as Ukrainian defense industrial base investments will help them protect their sovereignty and their democracy while serving as a bulwark against Russian aggression for years to come.

Let’s not lose sight of why we are here. Putin’s brutal, unprovoked invasion has been a tragedy, but if we get this right, we can make sure that something like this never happens again.

Conclusion

In closing, I’d like to say that this week’s summit is one step on a much longer path that began even before February 2022. We know the conversations that take place this week and especially today will have a tremendous impact on Ukraine’s future.

While the U.S. government is committed to Ukraine, the partnership between American and Ukrainian industry is critical for ensuring Ukraine has a sustainable force capable of defending itself today and deterring Russian aggression in the future.

We recognize that there are many challenges and uncertainties involved in this effort, but at the same time we want to remind Ukraine that you are not alone. And through engagements like this week’s, we are sending a clear message that you never will be.

Thank you.